RachelE
Junior Guinea Pig
I posted yesterday to report that my Boris (5 months) went to the rescue centre and came home with Frisbee, a 4 month old boar who'd spent some time living wild in a field. So excited that B finally had a friend. However, the battle for dominance has been an eye-opener, even after having read everything I could find on this forum. Here's the story so far...
Day One dawned and it was clear they've been having altercations overnight - there was stuff everywhere and Boris had been bitten on the nose. Watching them, it seems that Boris is definitely going for Top Pig status and just wants to hump Frisbee all the time whereas Fris just wants to hide in his tunnel cos he's terrified of everything. I think Fris had probably had enough of Boris's persistence and lashed out.
Lots of 'behaviour' happening this morning and then about mid morning I heard really loud angry squeaking and saw them launch themselves at each other. I rushed in and picked Boris up with a towel. I managed to wedge a strong piece of cardboard into the cage so they had half each, plus a hidey, a pile of hay some grass, dandelions and carrots each so they could both calm down. I rang the rescue centre and Joanne was very reassuring, said I'd done all the right things and that this could be a difficult bonding because they're both teenagers but to take the divider out after about ten minutes and keep an eye on them. Took the divider out and Boris immediately went to find Frisbee, who really wasn't in the mood and after a bit Boris went and sulked in his hidey - possibly Fris had gone for his sore nose again.
It's all very quiet in there now, both in their hideys, and has been most of the day. Little outbursts of rumbling when I've been in to say hello or put some veggies in the cage.
Overall, I have to confess that it's been quite distressing to witness all this, and there's probably plenty more to come. However, it's great to be able to share it and find out so much on this forum - the support is so very much appreciated.
Sorry to ramble...
Day One dawned and it was clear they've been having altercations overnight - there was stuff everywhere and Boris had been bitten on the nose. Watching them, it seems that Boris is definitely going for Top Pig status and just wants to hump Frisbee all the time whereas Fris just wants to hide in his tunnel cos he's terrified of everything. I think Fris had probably had enough of Boris's persistence and lashed out.
Lots of 'behaviour' happening this morning and then about mid morning I heard really loud angry squeaking and saw them launch themselves at each other. I rushed in and picked Boris up with a towel. I managed to wedge a strong piece of cardboard into the cage so they had half each, plus a hidey, a pile of hay some grass, dandelions and carrots each so they could both calm down. I rang the rescue centre and Joanne was very reassuring, said I'd done all the right things and that this could be a difficult bonding because they're both teenagers but to take the divider out after about ten minutes and keep an eye on them. Took the divider out and Boris immediately went to find Frisbee, who really wasn't in the mood and after a bit Boris went and sulked in his hidey - possibly Fris had gone for his sore nose again.
It's all very quiet in there now, both in their hideys, and has been most of the day. Little outbursts of rumbling when I've been in to say hello or put some veggies in the cage.
Overall, I have to confess that it's been quite distressing to witness all this, and there's probably plenty more to come. However, it's great to be able to share it and find out so much on this forum - the support is so very much appreciated.
Sorry to ramble...
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